6 Accountability and Workplace Relationships Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc RESPONSIBLE RESPECTFUL INVOLVED Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc After studying these topics, you will benefit by: • Defining and linking concepts of empowerment, personal responsibility, and accountability • Explaining how workplace relationships affect workplace success • Identifying appropriate and inappropriate relationships with your boss, colleagues, executives, vendors, and customers • Justifying how best to respond to a negative workplace relationship • Stating basic expectations regarding work-related social functions, situations, and office issues Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc ACCOUNTABILITY AND EMPOWERMENT • Empowerment: pushing power and decision making to the individuals who are closest to the customer in an effort to increase: – Quality – Customer satisfaction – Profit Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc ACCOUNTABILITY AND EMPOWERMENT • Employees making a direct contribution to the company’s activities results in: – Improved performance – Increased quality – Improved customer satisfaction Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc ACCOUNTABILITY AND EMPOWERMENT • Responsibility: employees accepting the power being given to them and the obligation to perform • Accountability: reports back on accepted responsibility • Employees are accountable for performing their best to: • • • • Each other Bosses Customers Investors Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc TOPIC SITUATION Christine’s Responsibility TOPIC RESPONSE: What additional activities could Christine perform to demonstrate she is responsible and accountable? Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY • Each employee must take personal responsibility for his or her performance – – – – Be on time Do not take sick leave when well Do what is expected During work hours, work • Not being accountable to your coworkers leads to poor workplace relationships Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIPS • Consistently behave professionally and respectfully to all • Socializing with coworkers is both expected and acceptable to a degree • Do not make workplace relationships your only circle of friends – Difficult to separate work from personal issues – Creates employee distrust – Potential for favoritism Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIPS • Workplace relationships include: – – – – – Coworkers Bosses/executives Investors Vendors Customers Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 10 YOUR BOSS • Abusive Boss: one who is constantly belittling or intimidating employees • Behavior is based on low self-esteem • If tolerable, your best with the situation • If intolerable: – – – – – Remain professional Do not go to boss’s boss Document facts and incidents Seek confidential advice from HR department If unresolved, confidentially seek new job • Employees have rights against discrimination and harassment Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 18 COLLEAGUES • Be friendly and respectful to all • Be cautious – Do not base friendships on work-related issues – When close work friendships occur, others assume favoritism • When personal friendships go sour, it will affect workplace performance – Awkward for both parties Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 19 TOPIC SITUATION Julian’s Response to Gossip TOPIC RESPONSE: Are there other ways Julian could have appropriately responded or handled the situation? Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 20 OTHERS WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION • Network with others within the organization • Keep all interactions positive and respectful • Defend all employees • Do not contribute to gossip and rumors • Corporate (organizational) culture: the company’s personality reflected through its employees’ behavior • Employee morale: the attitude employees have toward the company Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 21 WHEN RELATIONSHIPS TURN NEGATIVE If you harmed the other person (intentionally or unintentionally), apologize immediately If apology is accepted, demonstrate regret by changing your behavior If apology is not accepted, move on and demonstrate regret by changing (improving) your behavior Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 22 WHEN RELATIONSHIPS TURN NEGATIVE (cont.) If the relationship is lost, not hold a grudge; continue being polite, respectful, and professional to the offended co-worker If your offended co-worker acts rudely or inappropriately, not retaliate by returning the poor behavior; respond with kindness If rude and inappropriate behavior impacts performance or is hostile or harassing, document the situation and inform boss Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 23 TOPIC SITUATION Monique’s Relationship TOPIC RESPONSE: What steps should Monique take at this point? Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 24 DATING AT WORK • Many companies discourage co-workers from dating each other • Dating your boss is highly inappropriate • Use caution when dating vendors/customers • You are representing the company 24/7 • Do not share confidential information • Do not speak poorly of company/co-workers • It is best to keep your romantic life separate from work Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 25 THINK ABOUT IT Would you secretly date someone at work? What would be the risk? What would be the potential harm? Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 26 SOCIALIZING • Picnics, potlucks, and other celebrations • Some enjoy social functions; others not • It is rude to not attend/acknowledge functions taking place at the workplace – Stop by, even briefly, to send regards • Attendance at work-related social events occurring outside of the worksite is optional • Use caution when alcohol is being served – It is best to refrain from alcohol Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 27 SHARED WORK AREAS • Cubicles and open work areas • Respect privacy of each workspace as if it were an individual office • In shared work areas, avoid: – Loud noises – Smells – Distractions that interrupt or annoy others • Stand at entrance to work area and wait for invitation to enter work area • Do not take or use items without permission Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 28 TALK IT OUT What additional distractions should employees avoid creating in a common work area? Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 29 BREAKS AND THE BREAK ROOM • Contribute to community coffee/snack fund if you partake • Do not eat others’ food being stored in the refrigerator • Throw out your unused or spoiled food at the end of each workweek • Clean up after yourself • Leave things clean for the next person Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 30 MISCELLANEOUS WORKPLACE ISSUES • Use caution when fundraising to co-workers • Gift-giving is not required – Give discreetly if you choose to give • Group gifts for Boss’s Day or Administrative Assistants’ Day are common – Not mandatory to give – If you decline to participate, no negative comments • If you receive a gift, immediately send a thank-you note Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 31 MISCELLANEOUS WORKPLACE ISSUES (Cont.) • Good employees take ownership of common work areas • Practice common courtesy – Refill empty coffee pot – Refill copy machine when low on paper • When office machine is jammed, not leave problem for someone else to solve – If unable to solve, alert someone who can fix the problem Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc 32 ... topics, you will benefit by: • Defining and linking concepts of empowerment, personal responsibility, and accountability • Explaining how workplace relationships affect workplace success • Identifying... power being given to them and the obligation to perform • Accountability: reports back on accepted responsibility • Employees are accountable for performing their best to: • • • • Each other Bosses... personal issues – Creates employee distrust – Potential for favoritism Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2011 Pearson Education, Inc WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIPS • Workplace relationships include: – – – – – Coworkers